IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon (PIA)–Malaybalay City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF ELCAC) organized a send-off ceremony for the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) troopers who will be actively engaged in the peacekeeping efforts at the city’s three rural barangays, which is part of the Philippine Army’s Community Support Program (CSP) Team.
City Mayor Florencio Flores Jr, with Vice Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran and a representative from the Army presented the CSP Team members and were formally accepted by the Punong Barangays (village chiefs) of barangays San Jose, Linabo, and Kalasungay where the CSP Team will conduct activities in line with the peace and development agenda of the national government.
In his speech, Flores lauded the Philippine Army and declared his unwavering support to help the government’s TF ELCAC attain its goals in sustaining peace and growth especially in rural communities.
“Ang lokal nga kagamhanan sa Malaybalay kanunay mo-suporta sa kahusay ug kalinaw nga mga paningkamot. Sa among mga kauban gikan sa militar, ako nagapasalig nga ang among suporta anaa kaninyo sa tanan nga pamaagi. (The local government of Malaybalay always supports peace and development efforts. To our partners from the military, rest assured that our support is with you all the way),” the mayor said.
The Philippine Army, likewise, acknowledged and appreciated Malaybalay LGU’s help in embarking on various activities geared towards guiding communities to break free from the clutches of insurgency.
“Ako nagapasalamat sa inyoang pagdawat sa kupunan sa CSP ug dugang nga suporta sa pagsunod sa gobyerno. Sa inyong suporta, mahimo natong makab-ot ang malungtaron nga kalinaw ug tapuson ang insurhensiya. (I am thankful to your acceptance of the CSP team and support in adherence to the government’s program. With your support, we can attain long lasting peace together and end insurgency),” said Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion in his message delivered by Major Bacarro, who represented the commanding officer during the send off ceremony.
Bacarro explained that CSP is one of the tools employed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines that is in line with the government’s efforts to combat activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which is focused on socio-economic and cultural problems.
He clarified that the CSP deployment ventures into freeing the pre-identified barangays from communist shakedowns and likewise helps the LGU in identifying socio-cultural issues arising within the barangays. These issues will be elevated and addressed further through the City TF ELCAC in support of the government’s whole-of-nation approach. (CMO, 8IB, 403Bde, PA/PIA Bukidnon)
